Thai transport sector well prepared for AEC

The transport sector is ready to become part of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) as Thai driving licences are valid in member nations and trucks and buses permitted to operate in neighbouring countries without having to pass through a vehicle condition inspection, a senior Thai official said on Monday.

Somchai Siriwatanachoke, director general of the Transport Department, said AEC members have agreed to endorse licences on vehicle condition checkup as issued by every AEC country.

The Thai News Agency said trucks and buses from Thailand would be permitted to run in neighbouring countries without the need to change licence plates.

Somchai added that the Transport Ministry has collaborated with related government agencies in pushing ahead the framework agreement on transport across borders and drafting an Asean agreement to facilitate passengers crossing borders.

Intercountry transport is currently allowed on several routes including ThailandLaos, ThailandLaosVietnam and ThailandCambodia and the ThailandLaosChina route should be in operation in the future, he said.

Somchai said the Land Transport Department is developing transport infrastructure including the opening of a product transfer centre in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong district and building goods transport depots in 15 major cities to upgrade Thailand as the regional transport hub.

More rest areas will be built along major highways for travellers' convenience, he said.